Rust preventer



Oct. 17, 1939. G. J. THOMSON 2,176,514

RUST PREVENTER Filed May 5, 1937 E i I Inventor 4:0 Thomson fi umma Attorneys Patented Oct. 17, 1939 OFFICE nosr PREVENTEE George J.

corporation of Ohio- Thomson, Fremont, Ohio, Rusta Restor Corporation, Fremont,

assignor to Ohio, a

Application May 5, 1937, Serial No. 14%,954

1 Claim.

This invention appertains to a means and method of preventing rust and pitting, and the formation of corrosion on surfaces with which water contacts, such as the inside of water tanks,

5 pipes and the like.

Certain metals have a definite tendency to go into solution when placed in contact with water. 'luch metals can only enter solution by displacing some other element already present. In the case of iron, for instance, hydrogen is the element displaced when the iron is immersed in water. The hydrogen gathers on the surface of the iron in the form of a thin invisible film.

In order that corrosion can take place, the film of hydrogen must be removed.- This can occur in two ways, namely, it may combine with oxygen in solution to form water, or it may escape as gaseous hydrogen. The process is then free to continue, that is to say, more iron can go into solution, more hydrogen can plate out, and the process can continue at a rate determined by the speed with which the oxygen removes the hydrogen.

The principal object of the present invention is to maintain and promote this hydrogen film by making the attraction of the metal for the hydrogen so great that the film of hydrogen is constantly in contact with the metal, insulating the metal and thereby arresting corrosion in its first stage.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following specification.

In the drawing:

The single view represents a side elevational view of 'a water tank with parts broken away and diagrammatically showing the electric factors involved.

Referring to the drawing wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that numeral 5 denotes the metal water tank from which depends the pipe 6. Through this pipe extends the smaller supply pipe I. The tank is supported by the customary props or legs 8.

The electric equipment consists of a step-down transformer generally referred to by numeral 9, the same having the windings a-b. Numeral 5 l0 denotes the rectifier which is of the copper oxide or mercury vapor type. The coil b is connected up to the conductor H as one element of the rectifier Ill and this conductor H represents the negative side of the system and connects as at I2 to the pipe 6. The positive conductor l3 from the rectifier It] extends through an insulator M in the wall of the tank 5 and connects to the electrode l5 which is immersed in the water content it of the tank.

The tank shell will remain negative and hydrogen will be plated out at the cathode which. will result in the formation of a protective film on the inside of the tank 5 as well as on the inside of the pipe 8.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific terms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

A method of preventing rust formation in water storage equipment comprising a metallic water tank having a metallic tubular casing of relatively small diameter depending centrally therefrom and a water supply pipe extending through said casing and into the lower portion of said tank; said method consisting in providing a source of direct current, connecting the positive side of said current to an electrode immersed in the water in said tank adjacent the upper end of said tank, and connecting the negative side of said current to the exterior of said casing adja cent the lower end thereof.

- GEORGE J, THOMSON. 

